Water Buffaloes 1639

"Water Buffaloes" is a 1639 ink-on-paper handscroll by Zhang Hong (1577-1652), a renowned Ming Dynasty artist known for his meticulous depictions of animals. The scroll captures the essence of water buffaloes in their natural habitat, with a focus on their powerful forms and expressive movements. Each buffalo is rendered with remarkable detail, highlighting the textures of their hides and the subtle shifts in their musculature. This artwork showcases Zhang Hong's mastery of the "xieyi" style, a hallmark of Chinese ink painting that emphasizes expressive brushstrokes and capturing the spirit of the subject.